Shoes vibrate to give directions

Budget travel provider EasyJet has developed what it calls a ‘smart’ shoe which can provide guidance to tourists around a destination by vibrating on their feet.

The shoes are called Sneakairs, and they connect via Bluetooth to an accompanying smartphone app. This uses GPS to direct the wearer by triggering vibrations in the left or right shoe, directing them where to turn next.

The technology, developed in partnership with a company called D6, is intended to help tourists follow directions without being glued to a map or phone screen, allowing them to look up and enjoy the sights.

"[Sneakair offers] a practical solution to those passengers who want to relax visiting a new place without the need of a map and enjoy every moment while they explore a new city," said Peter Duffy, EasyJet's marketing director.

Although the Sneakairs are still in the early stages of development, EasyJet hopes they will eventually be sold on board its flights. Early tests conducted around Barcelona, according to the company, have proved successful, with wearers being able to navigate between famous landmarks without needing to check a map.